can be there to catch me. “And do they have food? I’m really hungry.”
Despite everything, I smile. “I’m sure Seth can take you to the kitchen. I will find everyone and let them know I’m back. This is my home. We can’t take you to your home until we know whether you’ll be safe there.”
“Karma...,” Seth gently whispers, but Ruby tugs his hand, dragging him away from me and leaving me alone just like I need right now. The front door looks too daunting, because I know once I see Storm and Killian and my family, I will break down. The guilt is like a locked box in my head, and I’m scared the lid is going to pop open at any minute. I stumble back, tears stinging the corner of my eyes as I walk around the side of the house and through the garden gate.
“Karmmaaa.” Michael’s goat voice makes me jump out of my skin, green energy burning the grass under my feet.
“Michael,” I whisper, looking over at him as his head rests on the gate nearby me. Seeing Michael is a little easier than Storm and Killian and my family. I calm my beating heart down before stepping closer and rubbing the top of his head in the way he likes.
“Different,” he tells me. Fecking understatement. I softly smile at him before kissing the top of his head. He goes back to his food without a care in the world, and I make my way to the back door. My grasp freezes on the door handle, and I stare at my shaky hand for a long time. The vines curve around my palm, reminding me of the marks running up my arms and the power that goes with it. If I were a better, stronger person, I would walk away and hide from my family. I’m only putting them in danger by being here.
But I need them. I need to see Storm and Killian, even if our relationship is nothing but rocky. Turning the handle, I step into my home and shut it quietly behind me. I walk down the corridor, running my fingertips over the edges of the many photo frames on the wall before getting to the living room door, which is slightly ajar. I stare in to see all my family on the couches, Storm leaning against the back of the sofa facing the TV, and Killian is pacing behind him. Something on the TV is capturing all their attention, and it’s very clear...it’s me. Green magic surrounds my body in waves as I hover in the air, destroying the city. The green magic mixes with my dress, making it look on fire, and my red hair is brighter than ever.
I look like a goddess for the first time in my life, and I hate myself for that moment. For what I did.
“Karma,” Storm’s shocked voice drifts to me just before I’m in his arms, pressed against his chest. “Karma, fuck. I thought I’d never see you again.”
“Karma!” My family all exclaim my name and rush at me. My mum pulls me from Storm’s arms, and I’m passed around my family for hugs until I can’t think straight. Pey kisses the top of my head before resting his hands on my shoulders as he pulls back.
“Mads is here, locked up with magic cancelling handcuffs as she...,” he drifts off, and pain flashes in his eyes.
“I know,” I whisper, thankful that she is safe, hurt that she still doesn’t remember.
“Give her to me,” Killian demands, and Pey lets me go almost instantly. Killian offers me his hand, and I don’t think about it as I take it, letting him tug me to him. His lips descend on mine, passionately telling me everything on his mind without a word. I missed him too. I was worried too.
I’m fecking scared. He breaks the kiss, not letting me go but turning us to see my family. Storm rests by the door, his purple eyes watching us with relief, not jealousy like I expected.
“Did you see a boy named Dominic?” I ask him. “At the warehouse. Young kid with white hair.”
“Yes, he ran out the door the second it fell. Everyone else, except for Kit, is dead there,” he tells me. I should be sad that two of my half-brothers are dead and one is running away in a city somewhere, but I’m not. When this is over, and it’s safe, I will find Dominic and look after him